Humans and Earth

I just heard again how humans are over populating the earth and thus ruining it!  We humans are certainly the cause of the decay of earth for we sinned and as a result, all creation has been subjected to God’s curse (Romans 8:19-20).  So humans must face up to their doings.  At the same time, there is a call by some that mankind must be punished by man for doing the planet ill.  I have some thoughts!

There is truth that we humans have ruined tracts and damaged parts of the earth.  Humans have done strip mining only to leave the land unuseable in the aftermath, they have destroyed forests without any effort to replant trees, for too long sewage was dumped into streams, and then the wonton killing of animals.

Humans have not done well in the use of land.  I tell the story of a large insurance company in Omaha that bought up a very large ranch in western Nebraska in the Sandhills and plowed it up and put in 46 center pivots.  That was around 1980 and I am glad to report that about 5 years ago it was announced that they were going to return all the land to native grass.  I am concerned with the urban spread over cornfields.  While land is needed for housing, it seems we could be smarter about what land we use.

I am very glad for the cleaner air we now enjoy.  I remember the days of living near the roundhouse of the railroad in the 50’s with its steam engines puffing away and the smog that was created.  Again, technology and pressure have done much to better what used to be poor.

However, I am not a tree hugger, green person, or a save the planet type.  Why?  Because the planet is not my parent nor my future!  The real issue and solution is found only in God.

The argument that overpopulation is at fault is fodder for limiting reproduction or even eliminating production.  But I read in God’s manual (the Bible) that He gave mankind instructions on how to live on the planet and that it is He who gives life and takes life (Ecclesiastes 5:18).  I read that God told Adam and Eve to fill the planet without telling them what population density that meant.  I read that God can close and open wombs (Genesis 20:18).  I read that God can take out large groups of people (135,000 in Judges 7; 185,000 in II Kings 19:35; multitudes in II Chronicles 20:12) and even take out masses of people (a huge flood leaving only 8 alive).  I read that God can send famine, sword, pestilence, and disease.

So my concern for the planet’s woes – whether real or perceived – is God!  When we start attacking the image bearer, man, we are poking a finger in God’s eye.  I don’t think that is ever a good thing to do.  When we start trying to play God as to reproduction, we are again offensive and in trouble.  While I think man has done poorly at times, I do not think limiting or eliminating man is the answer to the planet’s problems.

Man is a habitual sinner meaning greedy, jealous, and selfish.  It means man, left to his own devices, will steal, kill, and destroy.  The answer to our woes is for a rule of righteousness following the dictates of a righteous God.  May God give us people who rule righteously and may we be people who desire to be righteous by God and before one another.

And the key in all of this – Jesus!  He is the example and the answer!  Without Him, all the planet screaming, tree hugging, placard carrying, pipe complaining, fasting, whale chasing and other banter is – just that – banter!  For in reality it is God that matters and His workings and His will that should be our concern.